Kennebunk man paralyzed by accident

Thursday

Mar 6, 2014 at 2:00 AM

KENNEBUNK — Lee Allen of Kennebunk, a long distance truck driver, husband, father and former U.S. Marine, was seriously injured in a multi-vehicle pile-up accident involving approximately 50 cars and trucks in Pennsylvania on Feb. 18, while he was on the road working.

Shelley Wigglesworth

KENNEBUNK — Lee Allen of Kennebunk, a long distance truck driver, husband, father and former U.S. Marine, was seriously injured in a multi-vehicle pile-up accident involving approximately 50 cars and trucks in Pennsylvania on Feb. 18, while he was on the road working.

As a result of the accident, Allen suffered a C-4 spinal cord injury that has caused him to be permanently paralyzed from the neck down. He is currently on a ventilator and unable to speak. He will need full-time medical assistance and care for the rest of his life.

His wife, Elizabeth Allen, has been by his side at Massachusetts General Hospital since he was airlifted there from a hospital in Pennsylvania shortly after the accident.

"I am so unbelievably sad for my husband. He just got his commercial driver's license about two years ago and driving a truck around the country and providing for his family is all he wanted to do," she said. "Since he has been on a ventilator since Feb. 19th, I have no idea what he is feeling because he cannot speak. If I could, I would trade places with him in a heartbeat."

The Allens were married this past August and are parents to their blended family, which includes three children: Ophelia, Devyn and Emma.

"This has been extremely difficult, but now that the dust is settling somewhat, we need to look to the future and what it holds in store for Lee and Elizabeth," said Deb Burrows of Arundel, Lee's mother-in-law. "They are now facing enormous obstacles, and any support that can be given would be greatly appreciated."

Friends of the Allens have set up an online medical fundraising site through youcaring.com where anyone interested in donating may contribute. All donations will go directly to the family.

For more information please visit: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/support-for-lee/143992

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